Hyderabad: Short Service Commission Officers (SSCO) of the Army, Air Force and Navy have sought from the Central government ECHS (Health Cards), monthly pension and canteen facility on par with the commissioned officers.
The one-rank-one-pension (OROP) joint campaign of the armed forces also lists allocation of funds for the benefit of the SSCOs. “We have devoted the prime of our youth to the armed forces, now the government must also consider providing us benefits at par with the other personnel, said one officer. The Association of SSCO is planning to file a PIL in the Supreme Court.
Major Shiva Kiran (retd.), an SSC officer said, “SSCOs are generally commissioned as officers between 20-23 years age group and given the prime of their youth to the country, but today they are neglected a lot. They do not get pension, medical facilities etc., which the regular officers get. The SSCOs are now seeking the intervention of the government on issues like pro-rata pension, ECHS access and ex-servicemen status.
Another SSCO, Captain Maharaj Uppal Singh representing the SSCO Association from New Delhi said, “It is over 51 years since the defence ministry has been recruiting SSCOs. When officers retire, they manage to get an employment but are denied status of an ex-officer. Even SSCOs who served the forces for 14 years are not given benefits, while permanent officers get all benefits. There are over 15,000 SSCO across three wings of the Indian defence forces who have served the nation but have not been given the status they deserve.”
